Author: humansinharmony

Monami, a.k.a. “Monami Tsunami,” a young man at NY Sheltering Arms Children and Family Services Inc, partners with Viemma Nwigwe, a medical student at Columbia University to write this song, which Monami hopes “encourages people going through domestic violence and bullying that life is worth living.” Viemma found it “incredibly surreal” to hear how “incredibly open” Monami was in sharing his story.

In the words of Monami and Viemma (introduction):

Monami: This song is about things I went through with my mom and how she was very abusive towards me, and didn’t accept me and stuff, and basically not liking me the way I am…

Viemma: Why don’t you tell them why this song is called “Alright”

Monami: “Alright” is basically about things you’re going through with bullying, domestic violence at home or anywhere – it gets better, and letting you know it’s all temporary and stuff. I wanna show people things I went through my mom and everything. The things she did to me, I want to share that with other people. To show people and give people the courage that I got out of it, you can get out of it too.

Viemma: That’s also his favorite word, “alright”…

Monami: Yeah it’s my favorite word too, it make people laugh too.

Viemma’s Reflection

This was my first time participating in an HiH workshop and I couldn’t ask for a better experience! My partner was incredibly receptive to working with me and we enjoyed getting to know one another before diving into the song writing. We discovered that we had a few things in common which was great. My partner was really open with me, sharing some very personal things about himself and inviting me to have a conversation about it. I did not expect this at all, but I am super grateful to have been allowed into his world for a few hours. The song writing part was incredibly collaborative, and I felt incredibly welcome to chip in. While I had the context of our song in mind, the process of writing lyrics added a whole new dimension to my partner’s story. It was an incredibly surreal experience to see my partner’s raw emotions on paper. Our song lyrics revealed so much more than what my partner had originally shared. I felt like I knew more, and I couldn’t help but feel touched. Putting the lyrics and instrumental together to complete our song was incredibly satisfying as it was tangible proof of the time we had spent together. After the workshop, I was elated. My mood had improved drastically. Even now, as I reflect on my first HiH workshop, I can’t help but smile. I would definitely love to do this again.

In partnership with Sheltering Arms NY through NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and CUMC Humans in Harmony.

“My love for you goes on forever
Way beyond moons and stars
But then I just know one thing
I will always love you.”

Storyteller: Child in foster care, NYC

What would you like your song to be about? I love my grandmother. She lives in Virginia.

Any certain words or phrases to include? Moon, stars

Songwriter: Daniel, middle school student, NYC

“I’m Daniel; you know me. I am your sing a song buddy and I had so much fun writing this song. I wrote about how much you love about your grandma and it’s no surprise because you love everyone. And so yeah, I hope you enjoy it.”

Song Lyrics

Dear my dearest NanaI’m sorry that I can’t see you.Even though you live in VirginiaI hope to see you soon.

My love for you goes on foreverWay beyond moons and starsBut then I just know one thingI will always love you.

“I enjoy the cool air in the fall, and the falling snowflakes. It’s pleasing to the senses. I was in Korea, and snow, and we fall asleep almost become it’s so cold and snowy and the wind blowing the snowflakes. It hypnotizes you. [I was] in Korea in 1963 for 13 months…because I left the paratroopers. I had a plan in God and had to do what I planned.”

“I love my wife’s patience, kindness–she lives in California and she comes [to] visit. We met as children, separated in Korea. She’s from Chicago, the windy city, she has to like wind and snow. I love her teasing, rejoicing in Christ.”

Any certain words or phrases to include? Women fall in love with love.

And now I’m sitting in new york
Looking back in the past
I’ve fought for my life
And I know I will last
I’ve fought for this freedom
To live life unclassed
For citizens, americans
For kindness to last

7 thousand miles, love stretched apart
But there ain’t nothing that can wash away the flames in our heart
Love flickers, but burns through the night
Don’t doubt me, i’ll be with you like the stars in the sky
I miss you, my memory is sick,
But neither war nor disease can sever our bond,
Injustice, tears our worlds apart,
But I’ve been sent a journey searching to define my own fate

Storyteller: Child in foster care, 11, Children’s Aid and Family Services of NJ

Favorite music: Rap, pop, rock, hip hop Rand B, Disney

Favorite artist/song: R5 – Out On My Own

What would you like your song to be about? A special person that is my good friend

Pick a theme: It would have a birthday city with beats (headphones) and Jordans.

Do you have a title in mind? “Let us be strong”

Any certain words or phrases to include? Brave, courage, confendance

Any lyric ideas? It’s hard without you and I want you back. So many things have gone wrong and every day I want you to be my friend, but let us be strong and everything I’m out on my own and I’m looking for you, but one day I tried to make you my friend but let us be strong. Out on my own and I fallen for you let us be strong and I’ll be fine. I love you out on my own, let us be strong.

Songwriter: Alex Vu, student at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

Storyteller: Child in foster care, 9, Children’s Aid and Family Services of NJ

Favorite music: Pop

Favorite artist/song: Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”

What would you like your song to be about? Being myself

Pick a theme: Being happy

Do you have a title in mind? “I Want to Be Myself”

Any certain words or phrases to include? Love yourself, be yourself. Be happy every time you see someone.

Songwriter: William Ueng, student at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Song Lyrics

Used to run and hideToo afraid to speak my mindAlways thought I was shyDidn’t think that I could fly

But I hear a small voice whisperingWhispering to meYou’ve got to love yourselfYou’ve got to be yourselfBe loud be proudYou’ve got that champion’s beltLook around and you will seeAll the joys of being freeSo I’ve got to be Because we’ve all got hearts of gold

I’ve got the whole wide world listeningListening to me

You’ve got to love yourselfYou’ve got to be yourselfBe loud be proudYou’ve got that champion’s belt

I stand here with no fearListen when I say

You’ve got to love yourselfYou’ve got to be yourselfBe loud be proudYou’ve got the champion’s belt.

What would you like your song to be about?: “Anything to get me moving. I have difficulty remembering memories.”

Any certain words or phrases to include?: Anything that is uplifting.

His message: “Enjoy life, live life.”

Songwriter: Lina Zhang, 17, Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO

Song Lyrics

Maybe you’re sitting alone in a fluorescent bulb room
maybe you’re staring at the moon by the window i assume
maybe i’m walking by myself in an empty hallway
maybe i’m eating by myself humming a quiet tune

and so am i
you can find me by the window watching individual
stars at night
they’re all connected by a constellation
like we’re connected by something greater

maybe you’re sitting by yourself in a peaceful park
maybe you hear the wind moving the branches apart
But they’re still together, from the same tree
Maybe you’re sitting by yourself, you can feel the leaves rustling

And so do I
you can find me by the window watching individual
stars at night
they’re all connected by a constellation
like we’re connected by something greater

And I wonder
if they know
they’re connected by a constellation
Do you wonder
what love
makes people feel together
Do you ever feel
somehow
we’re all connected to each other

because so do I
you can find me by the window watching individual
stars at night
they’re all connected by a constellation
like we’re connected by something greater